photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Why we think Oprah Winfrey is a Type 3
Branding and marketing savvy. Oprah is a brand herself and has been able to leverage her influence and popularity to promote a wide range of products and causes.
Ambition and achievement-orientation. Oprah has built a media empire from scratch, becoming one of the most influential figures in entertainment and media.
Adaptability. She has a remarkable ability to adapt to changing circumstances, both in her personal life and in her career. She has reinvented herself many times over the years, moving from talk show host to media mogul to philanthropist.
Focus on personal growth and development. Oprah has been open about her own struggles with weight, abuse, and other personal issues, and has used her platform to promote messages of self-improvement and personal growth. As a sexual abuse survivor, Oprah turned her pain into a platform to help others. When launching her show, she sought to create a safe space that allowed guests to share stories about abuse, paving the way for open discussion on a previously taboo subject. Her resourcefulness helped break societal barriers and encourage countless others to share their experiences.
Attunement to what her audience values. Recognizing the value her audience placed on reading and personal growth, Oprah launched the "Oprah's Book Club" segment to discuss notable books and authors. This initiative not only boosted book sales but also inspired conversation and exploration of meaningful literature.
Image-consciousness. Oprah has carefully curated her public image, including her fashion sense and her ability to present herself in a polished and professional manner. Her fashion choices have evolved and matured throughout her career, reflecting the multifaceted nature of her personal brand, which includes being aspirational, approachable, and down-to-earth.
Attention-grabbing stunts. Throughout her career, Winfrey has been known for her attention-grabbing stunts and promotions, such as giving away cars to audience members or launching high-profile giveaways and contests.
Resourcefulness. Winfrey has demonstrated a remarkable resourcefulness throughout her career, often finding creative solutions to challenges and obstacles. For example, in the 1980s, Oprah sought to gain more creative control and ownership of her talk show. She created Harpo Productions, negotiating a landmark syndication deal that paved the way for her future success. Despite initial hesitance from industry insiders, she utilized her negotiating skills and persistence to create her own production company.
Competitive nature. Winfrey is open about her competitive nature, and has often talked about the drive to succeed that has fueled her career.
Oprah Winfrey quotes that show she is a Type 3
"You become what you believe."
"The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams."
"I don't believe in failure. It's not failure if you enjoyed the process."
"I was once afraid of people saying 'Who does she think she is?' Now I have the courage to stand and say 'This is who I am.'"
"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."
"The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude."
"The greatest gift you can give yourself is the gift of possibility."
"What material success does is provide you with the ability to concentrate on other things that really matter. And that is being able to make a difference, not only in your own life, but in other people's lives."
"When you undervalue what you do, the world will undervalue who you are."
"I always knew I was destined for greatness."